Children’s books

BOYS DON’T CRY by Malorie Blackman (A&C Black; €15.40). On the very day when Dante is waiting for his A-Level results, he has a surprise visitor from his past – his former girlfriend Melanie, complete with a baby, which she dumps on Dante before scarpering to start a new life.

Dante’s widowed father is furious that Dante has been so careless in his love life, but soon impresses on him that baby Emma is now his sole responsibility.

Support comes from a surprising quarter as brother Adam adores the idea of being an uncle because as he he will never be a father as he is a cheerful, committed gay. Dante forgoes a university career to raise the baby, but soon discovers that looking after his brother is altogether more difficult. This is an excellent study in relationships within the family and in society. Despite their human inadequacies, the joint efforts of the three males to come to terms with their changing roles are truly inspirational. Suitable for older teens.